Chapter 29: The Archives

Lio's pulse thundered in his ears as he raced across campus toward the archives. The shadows stretched long in the dim evening light, and the air felt heavy, almost charged with the weight of something unseen. His mind kept drifting back to the rooftop, the Hunter's cold gaze still haunting him. Whoever they were, they knew far too much about the Code and about him.

And Mia—if the Hunter learned she was involved, things could spiral even further out of control. He couldn't let her get caught in this. But for now, he needed answers, and she seemed to know something he didn't.

The entrance to the archives loomed before him, an ancient stone structure that seemed out of place amidst the sleek magic-tech buildings surrounding it. Lio slowed as he approached, glancing over his shoulder to make sure he wasn't being followed. Satisfied that he had shaken the Hunter, at least for the moment, he slipped inside.

The archives were eerily quiet, the only sound the faint hum of the glowing data panels that lined the walls. Rows of ancient books, scrolls, and digital displays stretched as far as the eye could see, their shelves casting long shadows across the dimly lit room.

Lio spotted Mia near the back, sitting at a table with a holographic display open before her. Her brows were furrowed in concentration, her fingers moving rapidly across the interface as lines of code and data flowed across the screen.

"Mia," Lio called softly as he approached.

She looked up, startled at first, then relaxed when she saw it was him. But her eyes quickly narrowed with concern. "Lio, what happened? You look like you've been through a war."

Lio shook his head, trying to catch his breath. "There's someone after me. Someone who knows about the Code. They called themselves the Hunter. I barely got away."

Mia's eyes widened. "The Hunter? They've been after you?"

Lio nodded, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know who they are or how they knew about me, but they mentioned the Code. Said I was a threat because of it."

Mia's expression shifted to one of alarm. "I've heard rumors about a group that hunts those who delve too deeply into the Code. They think anyone who tries to master it is a danger to the balance of magic-tech. We have to be careful."

"I'm trying to be careful," Lio said, frustration creeping into his voice. "But I can't just sit back and do nothing. I need to find out more about the Code, about why they're targeting me."

Mia nodded slowly, her brow furrowed with worry. "If you're determined to pursue this, we'll need to tread lightly. We can't let them know you're investigating. If they find out, it could put both of us in danger."

Lio felt a surge of determination. "I can handle myself. But I can't do it alone. I need your help, Mia. You know more about the Code than anyone else I know."

"Okay," she replied, taking a deep breath. "Let's start by looking through the archives for anything related to the Hunter or their methods. Maybe we can find a way to counter their tactics."

As they moved deeper into the archives, Lio felt a mix of anxiety and excitement. The air felt thick with hidden knowledge, and he knew they were on the brink of uncovering something monumental. Mia guided him to a section filled with dusty tomes and ancient scrolls, her fingers gliding over the titles until she found a book that caught her eye.

"This one should have some information," she said, pulling it off the shelf. "It's about the history of the Code and those who have attempted to wield it throughout the ages."

Lio opened the book as Mia began to skim through the pages. The illustrations depicted powerful figures from the past, each wielding magic-tech in ways that seemed almost mythical.

"But why are they called the Hunter?" Lio asked, his voice low.

Mia frowned, flipping through the pages until she found a passage that seemed relevant. "It says here that the Hunter is a title given to those who see themselves as guardians of the Code. They believe that only a select few should be allowed to wield its power. Anyone who tries to learn too much is seen as a threat to their mission."

"Guardians, huh? More like self-appointed enforcers," Lio muttered, irritation flaring within him.

Mia nodded, her expression serious. "They've been known to go to extreme lengths to eliminate anyone who poses a danger to their control over the Code. We really need to be careful."

Just then, a sudden noise echoed through the archives—a loud crash followed by hurried footsteps. Lio's heart dropped. "Did you hear that?"

Mia nodded, her eyes wide. "It could be them!"

They exchanged a frantic look before Lio grabbed Mia's wrist, pulling her toward a nearby alcove. They ducked behind a shelf, the darkness surrounding them as they listened intently.

Footsteps grew louder, echoing through the aisles. "Spread out," a voice commanded, low and gravelly. "They can't be far. They know too much about the Code."

Lio's breath caught in his throat. It was the Hunter—there were multiple voices. They were searching the archives, hunting for them.

"We can't stay here," Lio whispered, gripping Mia's hand tightly. "We need to find a way out."

As they slowly began to back away, a flicker of movement caught Lio's eye. A shadow flitted across the wall, and he turned to see a cloaked figure slipping through a side entrance, the same symbol he had seen before glowing faintly on their sleeve.

"Wait," Lio said urgently, pulling Mia closer. "That might be someone who knows more about the Hunter. We should follow them."

"But what if it's a trap?" Mia whispered back, hesitation in her voice.

"We don't have a choice. They're right behind us. We can't let them catch us."

With a final glance back at the approaching footsteps, Lio took Mia's hand and led her through the shadows, following the mysterious figure as they slipped deeper into the archives.

---

They moved through the dark corridors, Lio's heart racing with each step. The figure moved swiftly, barely making a sound. Just as they rounded a corner, the cloaked figure turned and looked directly at them, revealing a pair of piercing eyes that glowed in the dim light.

"You're not supposed to be here," the figure said, their voice soft but firm.

Lio and Mia froze, caught in a moment of uncertainty. But before Lio could respond, the ground beneath them shook, and the lights flickered ominously.

"Run!" Lio shouted, pulling Mia away as the archives erupted into chaos around them. Books flew off the shelves, and the very walls seemed to tremble.

As they sprinted down the corridor, Lio could hear the Hunter's voices getting closer, echoing through the darkness. They had to escape—but escape to where?

The question lingered in his mind as the world spun around him. The secrets of the Code were no longer just a quest for knowledge; they had turned into a fight for survival.

As they turned a corner, Lio caught a glimpse of the cloaked figure again, beckoning them toward a hidden passageway.

"Over here!" the figure urged, their eyes glinting with urgency.

Lio exchanged a glance with Mia, who nodded, trusting him. They followed the figure into the passage, hoping it would lead them to safety.

But as they entered, Lio felt a chill run down his spine. The shadows seemed to thicken, wrapping around them like tendrils, and he couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something much darker.

---

Just as they disappeared into the passage, a voice echoed behind them, chilling Lio to the bone.

"Don't let them escape! We need the Code!"